Sunday, October 26, 2008

RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome)

What is restless legs?
What are common signs and symptoms of restless legs?
What causes restless legs syndrome?
How is restless legs syndrome diagnosed?
How is restless legs syndrome treated?
What is the prognosis of people with restless legs?
What research is being done?
Where can I get more information?

Information provided by NINDS which is part of the National Institutes ofHealth
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Books and Recommended Reading

SLEEP THIEF, Restless Legs Syndrome

First book on RLS - Virginia N. Wilson (who had RLS herself) wrote this book on RLS edited by Arthur Walters, M.D. This is the first book published on RLS and has a wealth of information helpful for both doctors treating RLS and patients with the disorder. Get more information and order the book directly from Galaxy Books.



Relief and Hope for Sleepless Victims of a Hidden Epidemic

This book is written by Robert H. Yoakum, who is an RLS sufferer, past member of the RLS Foundation's Board of Directors and a newspaper columinist. He spent years researching information from all availiable sources on RLS in order to make this one of the most reliable and comprehensive books on the topic. This book should be an extremely helpful guide for RLS patients, their family and friends.



The RLS Rebel's Survival Guide

Jill Gunzel, aka the RLS Rebel, wrote this book. It can be purchased from her website or from other book retailers. This book is recommended reading for all RLS sufferers.



Coping With Your Sleepless Nights

This book was written by three well known expert doctors in the RLS field.

Dr. Mark J. Buchfuhrer, M.D.,
Dr. Wayne A. Hening, M.D., and
Dr. Clete A. Kushida, M.D.


Discussion includes the basic science of RLS, causes, diagnosis and management (including non-drug and drug therapy, lifestyle changes, how to avoid triggers, coping with relationships and work), how to apply for disability and much more (including RLS in children and in other medical conditions).


This book should answer almost all of your RLS questions. It contains additional RLS resources and guides the reader on how to research RLS. This book will help RLS sufferers understand this condition so that they can take control of their lives and make informed decisions. It also will be a useful resource for families, caregivers, and health care providers.


You can purchase these book from Amazon.com (teamed up with Borders.com.
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Medical & Scientific Information

RLS and MS
High prevalence of restless legs syndrome in multiple sclerosis. Manconi M; Fabbrini M; Bonanni E, Filippi M, Rocca M, Murri L, Ferini-Strambi L. European Journal of Neurology. 2007;14:534-9.
Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system. It can cause a variety of symptoms involving sensation, vision, speech, strength, mobility, and pain. “Secondary RLS” is a term used to describe RLS that has either a known cause or a known association. Some of the neurological diseases associated with RLS are peripheral neuropathy, spino-cerebellar ataxia, and Parkinson’s disease. Patients with MS often complain of RLS symptoms. This has always been viewed more as coincidence than as a real association between these two conditions.
Research: The researchers wanted to see how common RLS was in patients with MS. Over the course of one year, every patient with MS that came to one of the two neurology clinic research sites was evaluated for this study. Patients were not allowed to be in the study if they had any other neurological condition or other medical condition that could cause secondary RLS. They were also excluded if they were on dopaminergic or neuroleptic drugs or clonazepam, and if they: (1) were diagnosed with MS within 6 months; (2) their MS had relapsed within the last 6 months; (3) had any drug or alcohol abuse; (4) had any dementia; (5) or if they were younger than 18 or older than 65 years old. In total, 156 patients (100 females and 56 males) were enrolled in this study. Each patient was examined by two physicians and evaluated for MS and RLS. They each had an MRI as well.
The results of this study showed:
• 91 (58.3%) patients never had RLS symptoms.
• 51 (32.7%) patients had RLS symptoms more than once a week in the last 6 months.
• 12 (7.7%) patients had RLS symptoms less than once a week in the last 6 months.
• 2 (1.3%) patients had prior history of RLS but no active symptoms.
The Bottom Line: In patients with MS, the rate of RLS is three times higher than the average population. The researchers in this study suggest that MS be considered a cause of secondary RLS.
New Questions: The brain lesions of MS can be found in many places, but there was no association between the locations of the brain lesions and whether the patient also had RLS or not—why is this? What is it about MS that makes a person at higher risk for RLS?
* * * * *
RLS and Transplants.
Restless legs syndrome in lung transplant recipients. Minai OA, Golish JA, Yataco JC, Budev MM, Blazey H, Giannini C. J Heart Lung Transplant. 2007;26(1):24-29.
Background: There has been very little research on transplant patients and RLS. In one study, 45% of heart transplant recipients with periodic limb movements were diagnosed with RLS.
Research: The researchers in this study found 42 patients who had received a lung transplant. All the patients were on standard therapy which included immunosuppresion and prophylactic medicines. To be in the study, theses patients could not have a family history of RLS. These patients filled out two questionnaires. The first was to determine if they met criteria for RLS, and the second was to determine the severity of RLS if present.
The results of this study showed that 47.6% (20 of 42) of the patients had RLS. Of those with RLS, 80% had symptom severity that placed them in the moderate to severe category. Of interest, 75% of those diagnosed with RLS were women. All of the patients that were hypothyroid (4 of 42) had RLS. Also, the patients with RLS had a higher concentration of calcium in their blood than the patients without RLS. Finally, the patients with RLS were more likely to test positive for cytomegalovirus (CMV), a virus that is found in transplant patients, due to the immunosuppression medications.
The Bottom Line: Lung transplantation significantly increases a person’s chance of getting RLS. The risk increases if that patient is a woman, if they are hypothyroid, if they have higher calcium levels, or if they test positive for CMV.
New Questions: What is it about transplant recipients that increases their risk of getting RLS— the immunosuppression medications, the prophylactic medications, how the body responds to a new organ, or something else entirely? Does CMV infection cause RLS or could it possibly be exposure to the medication that treats it?